News

A self confessed ‘bogan’ from Western Sydney now studying Law. let’s hear about Gavin’s choice to make a show about Centerlink…

The Australia Times (TAT): When did you first start doing stand-up?

Gavin Sempel (GS): I first started stand-up by doing the school of hard knock knocks comedy course which I actually won free admission to. And then at the end of the course we did a graduation performance.

TAT: Where was it and how did it go?

GS: It was held at the Limerick Arms in St Kilda. For someone who only just started doing comedy, I was pretty happy with how it went. Got a decent amount of laughs and applause and was lucky enough to have Chris Franklin and Ben Horowitz as mentors.

TAT: Why do you like comedy?

GS: I’ve always been the class clown so just the thought and act of making people laugh is what I enjoy. I love comedy because it gives us a better way to look at things and everybody loves a good laugh

TAT: What’s an average day for you like, do you have a day job?

GS: I’m actually a full-time Law Student at Deakin University, which is nearly a standard for most comedians. But whenever I’m at uni I work at my local Hungry Jacks in Longwarry. So living the real dream.

TAT: How do you come up with your material?

GS: Most of my comedy I think of on the spot when I’m in public. Like I’ll see something very humorous and then I’ll try and turn it into material. The rest of my material is generally about me. So it’s pretty much just true stories about growing up or my family or self-depreciation for being underweight.

TAT: Who are your favourite comedians?

GS: My favourite comedians growing up and still to this day are Jimmy Carr stage and I idolised them as a teen. When it comes to local comedy my favourites are Luka Muller, Blake Everett, Zack Dyer and Nick Capper

TAT: How would you describe your style?

GS: As someone who looks like an innocent 12 year old, I try to avoid doing innocent comedy. My style has been labelled ‘twisted’ by a few. But I tend to try and go near the line with my comedy and I’m definitely not afraid to maybe step over it.

TAT: “Comedians are damaged people” Discuss

GS: Bit rough, I don’t really consider us to be damaged in any sense.

TAT: What’s been your favourite or most memorable moment on stage?

GS: It’s actually a tie between, my RAW heat this year which was after about 6 months of doing comedy and it went amazing and got an awesome amount of laughter. But then my other favourite was when I MC’d a comedy night back in my local town with comedians, Aaron Gocs and Evan Hocking. I’ve never received that much love and laughter from an audience before and everything worked well, took a few selfies and had people come up and congratulate me after the show. Felt like the real deal.

TAT: Do you like audience interaction?

GS: Of course, I feel that’s where you can just get more laughter. It helps with your set material and can also engage the audience more towards your jokes.

TAT: Do you feel like it’s you on stage or a character?

GS: I’ve been told that since I started doing comedy my stage character has now become my normal character in the way I act and talk. Whenever I’m at work or home I’m always accidentally trying new material or making people laugh and its good fun.

TAT: Where do you perform normally?

GS: I generally perform anywhere in Melbourne and continue to try and convince others to let me do a spot at their venues. But I also do a lot of local shows back at home with gigs at clubs or the Laughing Vault in Warragul.

TAT: Let’s talk about the show, what’s it about?

GS: My Show, “Still Waiting in Centrelink” is basically a show about growing up in western Sydney and growing up as a Bogan but then also jokes about being a student and false dreams etc.

TAT: Why should people come and see it?

GS: I feel they should come just to support the new and upcoming talent of the comedy scene.

TAT: What’s your favourite object?

GS: My body, in a non-dirty way. I think when people take a look at me on stage and then it can help picture the jokes and stories better and adds to the laughter.

Aries

This isn't a good time to keep your emotions bottled up inside of you. Whether you're feeling good, bad or somewhere in between, getting your feelings out into the open will only benefit you. The females in your life are particularly comforting and trustworthy right now, so seek out your best girlfriend or a sister, mom or aunt and tell them what's going through your mind. Although the ultimate decision is yours to make, getting other people's opinions won't affect you adversely. If making up your mind about something important is too difficult right now, use your best stall tactic to extend the deadline.

Taurus

A lot can be gained from you going out on a limb. Although you normally like to hang back and observe situations from afar, this is one time where your bold statements and actions can actually work to your advantage. Single Taureans may finally catch the eye of that special someone you've been admiring from afar, especially if you aren't afraid to do something wacky or dramatic on the spur of the moment. Acting spontaneously benefits all Bulls right now, so don't be afraid to really go for it. Once you get up the nerve to say exactly what's on your mind, you will be rewarded appropriately.

Gemini

If your budget is tight, you're just going to have to do without some of the things you want. Pinching pennies isn't your favorite activity, but it's better to cut back now than to pay the hefty price of being in the red later. Once you actually prioritize your wants and your needs, it might not be so difficult to make the right choice after all, Gemini. If you're forced to choose between spending money on food or buying that cute little pair of designer shoes, you know which one you should pick. Use your head where dollars and cents are concerned and you should have a little money tucked away in no time.

Cancer

This is a good time to get rid of the old and bring in the new. If the bulk of material items you have is weighing you down, it's definitely time to clear away the clutter. Quit making apologies for the state your house is in and actually do something about it. You may be hanging onto some things for emotional reasons, but you'll be surprised how much better you feel once they're gone. You don't have to get rid of everything, but the more you throw out, the more room you'll have for new things. Of course, some things can't be replaced, so don't feel bad for keeping those items that you could never put a price on.

Leo

No matter what you're able to accomplish -- and there will inevitably be some pretty great things -- you never let it go to your head. You take pride in what you do and the success you're able to obtain, but you don't let yourself get too cocky about your accomplishments right now. When other people give you well-deserved praise or a pat on the back, just smile and say thank you. All of this positive attention gives you a wonderful sense of self-confidence, but it never directly affects your ego. Be sure to jump at the chance to return the compliments whenever your friends or family do something that's worthy of your admiration.

Virgo

There's a lot going on, and you're right in the middle of all of it. You love to be the organizer of the day's events, which is why you've probably signed up to host meetings, chair events and plan any number of social or business-related functions. Spending time with people is what you love to do right now, so if you aren't in a busy, populated environment right now, you probably aren't having a very good time. Keep in mind that you can make a party out of just about anything. You don't have to have a fancy house or expensive furnishings to throw a great get-together -- the guests are the most important element!

Libra

When nothing goes according to plan, you have to learn to adapt. If you miss a meeting, reschedule it for another time. If you are late to a class, ask to borrow someone else's notes to make up for the parts that you may have missed. Although your busy schedule might cause some challenges for you, you are quick to come up with solutions right now. If you have an important project that needs to be completed, try to shut out all distractions before beginning. Unplug the phone, turn off the TV or stereo and really concentrate on what you're supposed to be doing.

Scorpio

You have a knack for knowing what other people want (maybe before they even know themselves), and you love holding the power and getting to decide whether or not you're going to give it to them. Scorpio is a master of intuition at the moment, and you use it wisely to your advantage in every situation. Right now, you have the ability to know what someone else is thinking by staring them straight in the eye, an act that will most likely leave them powerless to move under your gaze. Some might call you manipulative, but you'll never admit to it.

Sagittarius

Don't let yourself get backed into a corner. The worst way to spend your time is doing something that you don't really want to do. You have a habit of saying yes to make the people in your life happy, but this is a good time to start saying no. If you have a lot on your plate right now, you need to step back and take a look at what's truly important. Quit volunteering for things that aren't dear to your heart and above all, stop wasting your time on people who want to question your every step. Put yourself and your own needs first and see how much more valuable every minute seems.

Capricorn

When the going gets tough, your first instinct is to run, but you're much better off planting your feet firmly and dealing with whatever happens right now rather than waiting for it to catch up to you later. Besides, when you stop and take a minute to look at the situation, it might not be as bad as you have imagined it to be. The Stars urge you to stop avoiding the people and situations that make you uncomfortable, Capricorn, and really make an effort to resolve some of your unfinished business. Start with the biggest issue and don't quit until you have reached a solution that you -- and everyone else who is involved -- can live with.

Aquarius

Try not to overreact to surprising news, Aquarius. You need to be the one to keep a level head, even in the face of danger or an emergency, so try your best to remain calm, at least on the outside. If there are a lot of people depending on you for support and guidance, try not to let them down. You can do this, but you're going to have to go about it in as much of a rational, unemotional manner as possible. You can take a break later, when there isn't anyone else around, but for now, hold your head high and do whatever needs to be done.

Pisces

Your creativity is at its peak level right now, so don't let any of your artistic energy go to waste. Make a special meal for your family or fashion a unique piece of artwork for your best friend or lover. Your hands have magic in them right now, and everything they touch seems to come out perfectly. If you don't have any ideas about where to start or what to do, look for inspiration in art, music or nature. It won't take much to get you going once you're in the mood to do something artistic, Pisces, and then you won't want to stop until you've created your very own masterpiece.